Why are you closing your searchroom?
Because of essential building work which will be taking place to completely replace the lift in the Victoria Tower. This is where the Parliamentary Archives are kept and we use the lift to retrieve records for the public in our searchroom.
When are you closing?
We are closing from 15th July - 1st November 2013 inclusive, with the exception of some Mondays (see FAQ below)
But I only want to search some databases and see some books which I know aren't kept in the Victoria Tower - they're right outside your searchroom.
We will be opening on Mondays from 5th August for consultation of these kind of things. Here's a full list:
• Reference books (references starting BOOK)
• Printed Journals of the House of Lords and House of Commons
• Printed Parliamentary Debates
• Statutes of the Realm 1225-1714
• Statutes at Large 1225-1869
• Printed Public General Acts 1869-present
• Printed Local Acts 1834-present
• Electronic resources (including digitised House of Commons Parliamentary Papers)
It is essential that you specify the published material you wish to view when requesting a Monday appointment.
Surely you don't have to close just because of a lift?
The Victoria Tower is 98 metres high (323 feet) and the archives are stored on all 12 floors. The lift is used on a daily basis to retrieve records from these floors on trolleys and without it we won't be able to fetch archive material except on an extremely limited basis.
Can't your staff just carry the records down the stairs?
Here's what the staircase looks like:
As you can see, it's a spiral staircase with a huge drop in the middle and was built in the nineteenth century. We have to be really careful going up and down, even without carrying anything. And our archives come in all shapes and sizes, some of which are very difficult to carry even very short distances without risking damage to them or us. Deposited plans, for example, can be huge, flat and heavy.
How come this lift needs replacing anyway?
The last refurbishment was almost twenty years ago, and when it breaks down, it's really difficult to get replacement parts. It did break down for a while during 2012, and we found it impossible to run our public searchroom while it was out of action. That is why it is a priority to sort out as soon as possible.
I can wait to visit in November, but don't you close for stocktaking then?
Not this year! We'll be carrying out stocktaking tasks during our lift closure instead. Our usual November stocktaking fortnight closure will not happen in 2013.
If I can't visit and see things, can I send you an email instead telling you what I want? Maybe you can send me copies?
Yes you can, although it might take us longer than usual to reply because of the difficulty retrieving documents during the lift work. If you can be specific about what you want and give us catalogue references, we can quote you for copying. If there's a lot of it, though, or if a particular item is too big or heavy to carry down safely, we may not be able to actually do the copying until after the lift is back but will advise you if this is the case.
More information about our catalogue, enquiry services and copying services
I don't want to visit or order copies, but I do want to email you with a query about the history and/or records of Parliament. Can I still do that?
Yes you can, although it might take us longer than usual to reply if we need to consult any documents in the Victoria Tower to answer you. We do not have the staff resources to carry out research for you, but may be able to check facts and briefly look things up for you.
More information about our enquiry services
I want to bring a special interest group to visit the Parliamentary Archives, will that be possible?
Long tours for group visits will not be possible during our closure period, but a short visit may be. Please email us to discuss further.
I didn't know the archives were kept in a tower, can you tell me more?
Here's a leaflet about the history of the Victoria Tower.
The Victoria Tower and the archives of Parliament